Suture screw

ABSTRACT

A two part suture screw for anchoring tissue and bone is disclosed. The suture screw includes a threaded outer sleeve having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough. A pin having a conical insertion tip is provided and includes a proximally extending shaft configured for insertion in the longitudinal bore of the outer sleeve. The shaft includes a transverse bore through the pin for slidingly receiving a length of suture. A pair of channels extend from the transverse bore proximally along the outer surfaces of the shaft. The sleeve is provided with corresponding channels which extend proximally from a point adjacent the throughbore to form a complete bore for free sliding receipt of the suture within the suture screw. The suture contemplated for use with the disclosed suture screw has a diameter smaller than that of the transverse bore and the bores formed by the channels of the pin and sleeve to allow the suture to freely slide therein. A method of using the suture anchor to anchor tissue to bone is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/257,813, filed Dec. 22, 2000, and entitled SUTURE SCREW.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to suture anchors and, more particularly,to self-tapping screw type suture anchors and methods of use.

2. Background of Related Art

During surgery it is often necessary to attach prosthetic implants orsoft tissue such as muscle tissue, ligaments, or tendons to hard tissuesuch as bone. Various types of surgical fasteners are employed foraccomplishing this function, including staples, screw and washersystems, suture anchoring devices, and tissue anchors.

The first of these types is illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,454,875 and4,570,623, which show metal staples with spikes on the underside of thecrosspiece to secure ligaments.

Fasteners included in the second of these types are available asscrew-washer combinations wherein the screw is fabricated from asurgically suitable metal, such as titanium or stainless steel alloy,and is usually of self-tapping design. Suture anchors are adapted to beinserted into predrilled holes in bone and can be made of bioabsorbablematerial. When securing a ligament or suture within a bore drilled inbone, the self tapping screws may abrade the ligament or suture if theligament or suture is positioned adjacent the screw within the bore asthe screw is threaded into the bone.

Suture anchors are also used to draw tissue adjacent bone. The anchor,having a first end and a suture fixedly attached thereto, is anchored inbone and a second end of the suture is threaded through tissue and aknot is tied to secure the tissue to bone.

What is needed is a suture screw capable of freely receiving lengths ofsuture material therein so as to draw tissue adjacent bone and/orprovide the ability to add or substitute suture material after thesuture screw has been positioned within the bone.

SUMMARY

A two part suture screw for anchoring tissue and bone is disclosed. Thesuture screw includes a threaded outer sleeve having a longitudinal boreextending therethrough. Preferably a distal end of the sleeve threadsare interrupted to form cutting edges making the suture screwself-tapping. The longitudinal bore has a hexagonal shape and includes acountersunk portion at its proximal end to receive an insertion tool.

A pin having a conical insertion tip is provided and includes aproximally extending shaft configured for insertion in the longitudinalbore of the outer sleeve. An insertion tip of the pin preferably has asmooth conical surface to ease insertion in a pilot hole in bone.Proximal interrupted cutting threads may be formed on the insertion tipand mate with the interrupted threads on the sleeve. The shaft includesat least one transverse bore though the pin for slidingly receiving alength of suture.

A pair of channels extend from the transverse bore proximally along theouter surfaces of the shaft forming half a suture receiving channel. Thesleeve is provided with corresponding channels which extend proximallyfrom a point adjacent the throughbore in the pin to form a complete borefor free sliding receipt of the suture within the suture screw. Thesuture contemplated for use with the disclosed suture screw has adiameter smaller than that of the transverse bore and the bores formedby the channels of the pin and sleeve to allow the suture to freelyslide therein.

A method of using the suture anchor to anchor tissue to bone is alsodisclosed and includes providing the disclosed suture screw with alength of suture slidably positioned within the throughbore andchannels. The self-tapping suture screw is threaded into bone,preferably with the assistance of a pilot hole drilled in the bone. Afree end of the suture is affixed to tissue and the opposite end of thesuture tensioned to draw the tissue against the bone. The suture canthen be tied off or passed back through the tissue and tied off tosecure the tissue to bone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-tapping two part suture screw;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two part suture screw with partsseparated;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the two part suture screw withparts separated;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of the assembledsleeve component and pin component of the suture screw;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially shown in section, of the pin componenttaken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view, partially shown in section, taken along line 6-6of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the two part suture screw beingassembled with lengths of suture;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 with tension on thesutures;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the assembled two part suture screw beinginserted in a pilot hole in bone;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the suture screw fully seated in the bone;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the suture being passed back through tissue;

FIG. 12 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 with the suture tensioned;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the suture screw and suture tied to anchor andthe tissue to the bone;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the suture screw and an insertion tool;

FIG. 15 is a rear end view of a second embodiment of the sleevecomponent of the suture screw; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a self-tapping suture screw with athird embodiment of a sleeve component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the device and methods disclosed herein areapplicable to a wide variety of procedures including, but not limitedto, tissue to bone fastening, ligament repair, joint repair orreplacement, non-union fractures, facial reconstruction, etc. Inaddition, it is believed that the present device finds application inboth open and minimally invasive procedures wherein access to thesurgical site is achieved through a cannula or small incision.

In the description which follows, the term “proximal”, as istraditional, will refer to the portion of the device or structure whichis closest to the operator or user, while the term “distal” refers tothe portion which is further from the user.

The device and method described herein is specifically configured forself-tapping into hard structure, such as bone, and slidably receivinglengths of suture material so as to draw tissue, affixed to one end ofthe suture material, adjacent the suture screw. Additionally, theability to slidably receive suture material allows the addition orexchange of one type of suture material for another.

Referring now to FIG. 1, suture screw 10 includes a pin component 12 anda sleeve component 14 extending proximally from pin component 12. Pincomponent 12 and/or sleeve component 14 are preferably formed of abiocompatible material. The Material may be bioabsorbable,nonbioabsorbable, an allograft or a xenograft. Suitable bioabsorbablematerials include glycolide, lactide, trimethilene carbonate, dioxanone,dioxatanone, and copolymers and blends thereof. Suitablenonbioabsorbable materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, andmetals. Pin component 12 has a smooth conical distal tip 16 andinterrupted threads 18. Interrupted threads 18 are separated by opposingfaces 20 and 22. Faces 20 and 22 form cutting surfaces which allowdistal tip 16 of pin component 12 to be self-tapping with respect tohard structure such as, for example, bone.

Sleeve component 14 also has interrupted threads 24 at a distal endthereof which are separated by opposing faces 26 and 28 which allow thedistal end of sleeve component 14 to be self-tapping. Sleeve component14 also includes a continuous thread 30 on the outer surface thereof.Thread 30 extends from a proximal end of interrupted thread 24 to aproximal end of sleeve component 14. As shown, when assembled,interrupted threads 18 of pin component 12 match with the interruptedthreads 24 of sleeve component 14.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, pin component 12 includes an elongated shaft32 extending and channels 36 a and 36 b are connected by a transversebore 40 through a different face or part of shaft 32. Preferablytransverse bores 38 and 40 are angled in a proximal/distal directionrelative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Additionally, bores 38and 40 are angled relative to each other. Channels 34 a, 34 b and 36 a,36 b are preferably semi cylindrical and of greater diameter than thelargest diameter suture to be used therein. Similarly, transverse bores38 and 40 are also of a greater diameter than the largest suture to beused therein. Thus, the sutures used with suture screw 10 are freelyslidable therein. While the cross section of shaft 32 is shown to behexagonal, other configurations of cross sections, such as, for example,oval square, are also contemplated. The non-circular cross sectionsprevent rotation of pin 12 relative to sleeve 14 during insertion intobone.

Tip 16 of pin component 12 has a flat face 42 at a proximal end thereofwhich mates flush with a similar flat face on a distal end of sleevecomponent 14. Pin component 12 also has a chamfered or rounded proximalend 44 to prevent fraying of sutures.

Referring now to FIG. 3, sleeve component 14 is shown with interruptedthreads 24 and continuous threads 30. Sleeve component 14 has alongitudinal throughbore 46 having a hexagonal cross section for receiptof elongated shaft 32 of pin component 12. When assembled, a flat distalface 48 of sleeve component 14 mates flush with flat face 42 of pincomponent 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a rear perspective view ofassembled pin component 12 and sleeve component 14. Sleeve component 14includes opposed pairs of semi cylindrical channels 50 a, 50 b and 52 a,52 b which are complementary to channels 34 a, 34 b and 36 a, 36 b toform cylindrical longitudinal bores in a distal section of assembledsuture screw 10. Preferably, the bores so formed are of a constantdiameter larger than the largest suture to be used there through. Sleevecomponent 14 has an enlarged countersunk hexagonal bore 54 configured toreceive and mate with a driver tip of an installation tool for drivingsuture screw 10 into bone. In this embodiment, it is envisioned that thesutures running through suture screw 10 would pass through a hollow borein the tip of the installation tool and out of the tool so as to befreely manipulated.

The use of suture screw 10 to secure a tissue section adjacent a portionof bone will now be described. The desired location on the bone to whichthe tissue section is to be secured is located and appropriatelyprepared by scraping, etc. It may be helpful to form a small diameterpilot hole into which screw 10 can be threaded. Referring to FIG. 7,suture screw 10 is prepared by disassembling pin component 12 fromsleeve component 14. Sutures 100 and 120 are then threaded through bores30 and/or 40 and the sutures are positioned in channels 34 a, 34 b and36 a, 36 b. The free ends of the sutures are threaded throughlongitudinal throughbore 46 of sleeve component 14 and pin component 12.

Referring to FIG. 8, sleeve component 14 and pin component 12 areassembled by inserting shaft 32 into longitudinal throughbore 46 untilflat faces 42, 48 meet flush. Care should be taken to ensure channels 50a, 50 b and 52 a, 52 b align with the corresponding channels in pincomponent 12 so that the sutures remain freely slidable within suturescrew 10.

Referring to FIG. 9, the free ends of the sutures 100, 120 are thenpassed through a bore 130 in installation tool 140 and a hexagonal tip150 of tool 140 is positioned in hexagonal counter bore 54 of sleevecomponent 14. Proximal tension on the sutures and distal pressure onsleeve component 14 by the installation tool help maintain suture screw10 in its assembled state. The installation tool is then used to drivesuture screw 10 into a predrilled pilot hole B in bone A.

Referring to FIG. 10, as discussed above, suture screw 10 isself-tapping. When suture screw 10 has been fully inserted in bone B,installation tool 140 is removed and one set of the free ends of sutures100, 120 are affixed to tissue C. Thereafter, the opposing free ends ofthe sutures not attached to tissue are tensioned or pulled throughsuture screw to draw the attached tissue adjacent the bone.Alternatively, additional or substitute suture material of the same ordiffering type may be attached to the original sutures and pulled intoand through suture screw 10 to provide more or a different type ofsuture for attachment to the tissue section. Once the tissue section hasbeen properly positioned adjacent the bone the opposing ends of suturesmay be tied off adjacent the proximal end of suture screw 10 in knownmanner or otherwise secured adjacent screw 10 and the remaining excesssuture material trimmed. Preferably, sutures 100, 120 are reinsertedthrough tissue C (FIG. 11), tensioned to draw tissue C tight (FIG. 12)and tied off FIG. 134 to secure the tissue to bone A.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is disclosed an alternative driving tool 120for use with suture screw 10, tool 170 includes a proximal shaft 172 anda distal hexagonal driving head 174 to fit in countersunk bore 54 ofsleeve component 12. Cutouts 176 a, 176 b and 1768 a, 178 b are providedfor suture clearance.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown an alternate sleeve component56 having interrupted threads 58 (not shown) separated by faces 60, 62(not shown) and continuous thread 64 along a proximal section thereofsimilar to that of sleeve component 14. Sleeve component 56 also has ahexagonal longitudinal bore 66 which extends completely through sleevecomponent 56. In contrast to sleeve component 14, sleeve component 56does not have a countersunk bore and includes channels 68 a, 68 b and 70a, 70 b which extend completely along the inner surface of bore 66.Similar to that of sleeve component 14. Channels 68 a, 68 b and 70 a, 70b cooperate with the corresponding channels in pin component 12 to formbores for sliding receipt of sutures. It is envisioned that theinstallation tool used with sleeve component 56 would have acorresponding hexagonal shaped driving tip for driving insertion in bore66. To allow sutures to remain slidable, it would be necessary to formcomplimentary channels in the outer surface of the installation tooltip.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is disclosed an alternative embodimentof an assembled suture screw 72. Suture screw 72 utilizes pin component12 but has an alternative embodiment of a sleeve component 74. Sleevecomponent 74 has similar outer surface characteristics as previouslydescribed sleeve components but has a proximal hexagonal shapedprojection 76 for engagement with driver tool 160. As shown, suturechannels 78 etc. extend along the outer surface of projection 76 forfree receipt of sutures positioned therein.

Alternatively, a modified pin component having an elongated proximallyextending shaft, having suture channels, could be assembled with acorresponding sleeve component such that the proximal end of the shaftextends proximally out of the proximal end of the sleeve component.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. For example, the threads of the pin and/orsleeve component may be partially or completely threaded or continuous.Additionally, there may be provided only a single pair of channels andaccompanying through bore or many complimentary pairs greater than thetwo disclosed. As discussed, the connecting and driving hexagonal boresmay be substituted by bores of other cross sections as well as providingcorresponding substitute driving tools. The above description should notbe construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferredembodiments and methods. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications and uses within the scope and spirit of the claimsappended hereto.

1. A suture screw comprising: a sleeve having a threaded outer surfaceand a longitudinal bore; and a pin having a tip and a shaft extendingproximally from the tip, the shaft having at least one transverse boreextending from a first side of the shaft to the second side of theshaft, wherein the shaft is positioned within the longitudinal bore ofthe sleeve.
 2. The suture screws recited in claim 1 wherein the pin haschannels in the first and second sides extending from the transversebore along the first and second sides to a proximal end of the shaft. 3.The suture screw as recited in claim 2 wherein the sleeve has channelsformed on an inner surface of the longitudinal bore and extend incomplimentary fashion with the channels in the shaft of the pin.
 4. Thesuture screw as recited in claim 3 wherein the shaft has a hexagonalcross-section and the longitudinal bore of the sleeve has a hexagonalcross-section to receive the shaft such that the shaft cannot rotatewithin the sleeve.
 5. The suture screw as recited in claim 1, whereinthe threads of the sleeve are interrupted at the distal end of thesleeve.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The suture screw as recited inclaim 1, wherein the tip of the pin has a smooth conical surface.
 9. Thesuture screw as recited in claim 3 further comprising a length of suturehaving a diameter less than that of the transverse bore and positionedthrough to the transverse bore and within channels of the shaft and thechannels of the sleeve such that the suture is freely slidabletherethrough.
 10. A suture screw for receipt of a length of suture tosecure tissue to bone comprising: an outer sleeve having a longitudinalbore there through, the longitudinal bore having a predeterminedcross-sectional shape; and a pin having a distal tip and a shaftextending proximally from the tip and has a cross-sectional shapesimilar to the cross-sectional shape of the throughbore such that whenthe shaft is inserted into the throughbore, there is minimal rotationbetween the pin and the sleeve.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. Thesuture screw as recited in claim 10 wherein an outer surface of thesleeve is threaded.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The suture screw as recited inclaim 10, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the tip is smoothand conical.
 16. A method of anchoring tissue to bone comprising:providing a two part suture screw having a threaded outer sleeve and alongitudinal bore and a pin, having a distal insertion tip and aproximal shaft having a transverse bore, attached to the sleeve suchthat the shaft is positionable within the longitudinal bore and at leastone length of suture extending through the transverse bore and freelyslidable therein; threading the suture screw into bore; attaching oneend of the suture to tissue; tensioning the suture to draw the tissueadjacent the bone; and tying the suture to secure the tissue to bone.17. The method as recited in claim 16 further including the step ofdrilling a pilot hole in the bone.